We like the ships that go boom | Defense

USS Mahan gifts warning projectiles to Iranians

You vroom, we boom.

Strait of Hormuz

Numerous outlets are reporting that USS Mahan (DDG 72) went batteries release on a few Iranian speed boats in the Arabian Gulf this morning. While the shots were not intended to intercept, it is refreshing to know that a harder hard line has been taken on Iran and their, ‘unprofessional’, disposition in international waters.

Having been through the Hormuz Strait numerous times, I can tell you from personal experience that the pucker factor is elevated on U.S. warships in transit, as we up-posture to General Quarters, set condition Zebra and stand-by.

From the Mahan Facebook page:

WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. Navy destroyer fired three warning shots at armed Iranian patrol boats as they sped toward the American warship at the entrance to the Persian Gulf, marring a recent period of relatively quiet interactions between U.S. and Iranian forces, the Pentagon said Monday.

Why?

For this very reason, and others: Like Exocets. We aren’t interested in incidents like USS Stark in the 1980’s.

Bravo Zulu to the Skipper and crew of Mahan. May God keep them safe, and may they continue to operate from a position of strength.